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SENATOR GREG BALL HONORS PURPLE HEART HOMES ON NYS SENATE FLOOR

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Albany, N.Y. – 05/20/2014 – Senator Greg Ball (R, C, I –Patterson), Chairman of the Senate Veterans, Homeland Security and Military Affairs Committee, honored Purple Heart Homes and its co-founders, Dale Beatty and John Gallina on the New York State Senate Floor.

John Beatty and John Gallina were officially recognized by the New York State Senate with a Senate Resolution on behalf of those who have served to protect our country’s freedom in times of war, as well as times of peace. Purple Heart Homes and its’ founders were commended for their dedicated service to the veterans in their community and the State of New York.

“It is my distinct honor to recognize the work that Dale and John do every day for our veterans. Purple Heart homes deserves a special salute from the New York State Senate,” said Senator Greg Ball. “With the help of Purple Heart Homes, we are renovating Private Dan Flanigan’s home in Pawling, to give him the welcome home that he never fully received. As a nation we must do better, and while we can’t change the world, we can change the world for this hero, and we will.”

“Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and Airmen leaving active duty are instructed to reintegrate to their communities. However, communities are given little to no instruction of their portion – in assisting our Veterans in maintaining or obtaining the American Dream,” said Dale Beatty. “It is not our government, nor any agency or administration that can ensure a proper reintegration, but each one of us as individual citizens who retain the honor of uplifting and caring for our nations’ heroes and their families. It is our mission at Purple Heart Homes, to inspire and provide the leadership and support that communities need to create housing and homeownership solutions for our Veterans.”

Dale Beatty and John Gallina were deployed in January 2004, for a tour with the National Guard Readiness NCO for the Statesville Unit. Both were again deployed to Iraq in 2004 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, where their unit was attached directly to the 1st Infantry Division near Bayji, Iraq.

On November 15, 2004, while on a patrol route with active insurgent operations, Dale Beatty’s vehicle was hit by antitank mines. The explosion left him a double amputee below the knees. He spent over a year at Walter Reed Army Medical Center learning how to walk using prosthetic legs.

As a result of the challenges he faced after returning home, Dale Beatty and his fellow soldier John Gallina wanted to help other service connected disabled veterans with their housing solutions. Together they co-founded Purple Heart Homes with funds from their disability checks to help veterans and their caregivers who served in the military.

The Purple Heart Homes organization is currently made up of volunteers and professionals who share a common belief and desire to give back to those who have given so much for their country. The ultimate goal of the organization is to enable the veteran to be a functioning member of their family, as well as a contributing member of their community.

An initiative began in Mahopac, NY on September 12, 2013 when the community gathered together to renovate a home for service-connected disabled veteran Daniel Flanigan, from Senator Ball’s District. Private Daniel Flanigan, a 100% service-connected disabled Vietnam Veteran, was selected after a thorough vetting process by Purple Heart Homes.

Renovation will begin in June, and will be tied in with Army Week Association. Work on the project is expected to take at least four months. An official Welcome Home Ceremony will be held for Private Daniel Flanigan when the renovations have been completed.